Water Backup Coverage and Preparedness

What you can do to protect your basement from water damage

It can happen in a matter of minutes. There’s a torrential downpour during a storm and your power goes out. That means the power to your sump pump, too. Your previously dry basement or lower level turns into a watery mess. Or, even worse, the city sewer system is overwhelmed and backs up into your home through the drain! Here’s what you need to do to prepare.

First things first — fortify your home, protect your family

Before the raindrops even start to fall, there are a few things you can do to protect your basement from water damage.

Waterproof storage. Basements serve multiple purposes, but they’re often a great place to store infrequently used items. We use the extra room in our basements to store any number of things from treasured family hand-me-downs to photo albums — holiday decorations to off-season clothing. Buy waterproof storage bins to keep these things safe from potential water damage.

Elevate appliances. We also use basements to house expensive appliances like washers, dryers and water heaters. Make sure the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer are at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation. Masonry work or pressure-treated lumber is strong enough to elevate these items. Otherwise, consider if moving them upstairs is a possibility.

Have a reliable sump pump. A sump pump is a device installed in a basement and designed to automatically move water away from the foundation of your house. If your sump pump suffers a mechanical breakdown, you might not even know it until it’s too late. Have yours evaluated by a trained professional, and upgrade it if necessary. When purchasing a sump pump, you should review the maximum pumping power, typically measured in gallons per minute. Visit our How a Sump Pump Works infographic for more information.

Have “Plan B” for your power supply. Strong storms often cause power outages. You may have a sump pump, but if it runs on electricity, it won’t help if there’s no power available. Consider adding a battery-operated or water-pressure back-up pump — or invest in a simple generator to keep the sump pump running when you’re left in the dark.

Install backflow valves. In particularly severe storms, the municipal sewer systems may become overwhelmed and back up through your main sewer line. In this case, backflow valves would be especially useful. Check or flap valves automatically allow water and sewage to flow out, but not in. Another option is gate valves, which are a stronger — but manually operated and more costly to install. For more information, check out FEMA’s Protect Your Property from Flooding.

Dangers of contaminated water

If your basement is flooded as a result of a water backup, it can be dangerous to enter and it can carry fecal material and waterborne diseases. If it happens to you, here are some tips:

Do not go into your basement if the water has reached electrical outlets — there may be a risk of electrocution. Call an expert.

Keep small children away from contaminated areas.

Avoid skin contact with the contaminated water. Call your doctor if you believe it came in contact with an open sore or cut.

Do not consume anything that may have been contaminated or been near the contaminated area.

Wash your hands regularly.

Understand your coverage — or possible lack of it

Know your policy. Most people are surprised to learn that a standard home policy does not provide coverage for water damage that is the result of a sump pump overflowing or water backing up from a sewer system. In order for these losses to be covered, you need to purchase separate coverage, called a Water Backup and Sump Overflow endorsement.

Choices vary by state, so contact us to discuss the options in your area.

When choosing your coverage, consider all of the items in your basement — from appliances, electronics and furniture to the flooring and carpeting beneath them. What would it cost you to replace everything because of water damage? Include clean up expenses in the total as well.

In the event disaster strikes

Give us a call. Touch base with us as soon as you can, with your policy number ready. We can initiate a claim, explain your available coverage, and provide recommendations and solutions for cleaning up and drying out your home.

Take pictures. The very best thing to do in the event of water damage is to document it. Photographic evidence of the valuables in your basement helps us better help you in the event of a loss. If possible, provide both before and after photos in order to give adjusters a basis for comparison, a more thorough understanding of the scale of the damage, and thus a better sense of how to best help you.

Save receipts. If you are not able to stay in your home due to the severe nature of the damage, you may file a claim for additional living expenses. These are expenses beyond what you would normally incur — including charges to stay at a reasonably priced hotel, fifty-percent of the costs of meals, and even pet boarding fees. Save all receipts for the purposes of reimbursement at a later date.

Basement water damage might be common, but it’s never convenient. Plan ahead today to protect your home tomorrow.